YOUTH SPORTS SAFETY: LOOKING BEYOND OUR BORDERS

It seems each week as I discuss different youth sport topics I am constantly directing you to information made available by a wide range of professional organizations, institutes and associations that most often originate here in the United States.  As I continue to push what I can learn and convey I’ve started to find useful information made available by other countries and international organizations.  The concussion statement out of the 4^th International Congress on Concussion in Sport (Zurich, 2012) is probably the most familiar example of the growing international effort and cooperation on improving youth sport safety.  Keeping this in mind I wanted to introduce you to a few organizations that you may not be familiar with since they are not US-based.  Many of these organizations provide statements that support much of what we know here in the US, but other statements may actually provide new information on a familiar topic or address and sport or activity that isn’t addressed directly in the US.

CANADIAN ACADEMY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE MEDICINE (CASEM)

This group is akin to the American Academy of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and provides direction in a variety of sports and topics.  I bring this group to your attention for two reasons:  1) It provides information on topics (ex. snowboarding) that is harder to come by here in the US and 2) Athletic Trainer is a profession in Canada (it’s referred to as Athletic Therapist) and it is possible to practice as an AT in Canada and vice versa assuming you meet certain guidelines.

Here are some statements published by CASEM that I thought you might find interesting:

Bicycle Helmets (2013)

Abuse, Harassment and Bullying in Sport

In-line Skating (2012)

Head Injuries and Concussions in Soccer (2010)

Snowboarding Injuries (2006)

Violence in Hockey (2007)

Physical Activity Recommendations for Children with Specific Chronic Health Conditions (2010)

The site also provides additional links where you can find more information about other sports medicine organizations around the globe.  One particular link I found interesting was the Sport Concussion Library.

SPORTS MEDICINE AUSTRALIA (SMA)

A comprehensive sports medicine website providing information for providers, parents and athletes alike.  While it appears that there are not direct links to position statements as we understand them here there is a resources and advice section that includes tons of useful information.  This information is divided into fact sheets (injury and sport) and policies and guidelines.  The fact sheets cover common injuries and sport-specific information.  The policies and guidelines are divided to special populations including active children, weather conditions, and health conditions and screening among others.

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF SPORTS MEDICINE (FIMS)

This group is an overarching organization that could encompass all national sports medicine organizations worldwide.  This is a member-based group that functions in a similar capacity as national organization providing educational opportunities for sports medicine providers around the world.  Similar to the ACSM and CASEM, FIMS has provide a series of position statements on a wide range of sports medicine topics.  Some of the statements I thought you might be interested in include:

 

Fluids in Sports (2012)

Female Athlete Triad (2011)

Exercise Induced Asthma (2011)

Vegetarian Diet and Athletes (2009)

Scoliosis and Sports Participation (2008)

Diabetes Mellitus and Exercise

Excessive Physical Training in Children and Adolescents

Eye Injuries and Eye Protection in Sports

Athletes with a Family History of Sudden Cardiac Death

BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SPORT AND EXERCISE MEDICINE (BASEM)

I put this link in here so that you’re aware of this organization.  The educational tab on the association website focuses primarily on continuing education for its members and doesn’t appear to have on outward, public focus, but the British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM) is published by BASEM.  BJSM is a commonly cited journal when addressing current topics in sports medicine.

 

Submitted by Heather L. Clemons, MS, MBA, ATC